Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-06-24
STORIES ABOUT HORSES.
from the Youths Companion.

company with an 9th GER OF the army,
was riding along a trail which led
through one OF the detached mount
ain ranges that border the White
Mountains, or San Carlos Indian Res
ervatlon. " Ill H. -.. L.
Having reached an open part of the
trail, the horses were walking along at
q brisk pace when, upon turning an
abrupt angle, which opened upon an
extended and magnificent scene, both
horses SHE'D, stopped short, and with
heads high in air and nostrils distend-
ed, evinced unmistakable signs OF fear.
The officer, who was an experienced
frontiersman, experimenting the cause,
quickly exclaimed: "Be on your guard.
there are Indians hereabouts; the
horses smell them"
Realizing that it would be as safe,
perhaps, for us to remain where we
were as it would be 20 turn back, we
began recommending, our horses, mean
time, manifesting great uneasiness.
Catching the drift of the wind and
looking carefully and anxiously in
that direction, we soon discovered the
cause OF the alarm-an Apache buck
and two sqauws seated upon q broken
crag several hundred yards above us,
each as silent and motionless as the
rock upon which they were reclining.
The Indians seemed to be friendly,
and in response to a 81 gnal from the
officer tlambered down the mountain
to where VIC stood, when it was found
that they were nut gathering party.
They informed us by means OF signs
and q few broken expressions which
the officer understood that they had
discovered us at q point several miles
distant. and had selected a convenient
position from which they could watch
our movements unobserved. But for
the sagacity of our horses they doubt
less would have remained unseen by u.s.
Our horses, the officer informed me,
were veteran Indian fighters, having
participated in several campaigns
against the Apaches, and could
"scent" an Indian at a great distance
when the usually keen sense Of hearing
failed to detect the presence of an enc.
my.
A party OF miners. not far from the
City oil Tucson, have team OF horses
named "Dicl" and "Jim.' Dick is
the older, and probably ON that &C.
count presumes to direct the course
Of his younger companion.
During the night the horses Craze in
the vicinity of the cabin occupied by
the miners, and as day begins to
break they approach quite close to
the house, where they l1nger until the
men make their appearance.
Should the services of the horses be
required the men are particular to 60
forth with a nosebag, at the sight OF
which the animals suffer themselves
to be caught; but if instead OF a nose.
bag a bride or rope should be taken,
old Dick is sure to kick up his heels
and run away.
Not content to 60 alone, he will
drive Jim away, also, biting him if he
does not move promptly, and thus
for considerable time, will mischiev-
ously avoid his owners. After q WHILE
as if satisfied with their frolic, the
horses will return to the cabin OF thei1
own accord, allow themselves to be
saddled or hitched to the wagon, and
throughout the day will work faith
fully.
But the most remarkable trait O.
these horses is their habit of eating
anything and everything which comes
from the table. One evening, not long
ago, while on a visit to the camp,
observed one of the men who cleared
off the supper table put the uncon
summed portions of the meal-consist
ing of bread, potatoes, fried bacon
gravy and baked beans-into the hor
horses nose bags and afterwards add {
quantity of potato parings, rinds O
smoked bacon aud other ''raw mater
ials."
Not seeing any dog or chicken.
about, l inquired what he intended tt
do with the hotch .potch, and wa
surprised at his reply: "Feed it tt
the horses.
Seeing that he was in earnest. Iwen
with him and was still more surpris
ed to see both horses devour the ''colt
victuals" with as much apparent rel
ish and satisfaction as though tn,
feast consisted of barley or oats.
The miners informed me that tn
horses were very fond OF soup, an(
would even eat chow-chow pickles
which caused them to sneeze ant
make exceedingly amusing wry faces
Both OF these horses are great favor
ties, particularly the older one, who's
funny tricks have established him il
the light OF g. privileged character
and the high respect in which he i!
held by his owners is shown Ky tn
fact that they have named one 0
their best mines "The Old Dick
One day last autumn miner, who's
home is in an adjoining county, an<
| who lives alone in small cabin stu
ated in the foothills several mile
from his nearest neighbor, reached
home about dusk from an extended
prospecting tour almost worn out ant
sick. He removed the saddle an.
| bride from his horse and turned hin
loose to Craze, and entering his cabin
| he threw himself down upon bis co
! and soon fell into restless slumbe'
from which he awoke late in the nigh
with a raging fever.
Almost delirious, he knew not VIVA
to do, being alone and without medi
cines.. It might happen that som
neighbor would pass by in the morn
ing, but there was no certainty tina
any person would call for days o
possibly weeks.
A realization OF his helpless condi
! ton aggravated his disease, and tn
! moor man grew worse. Morning cam
and he was unable to leave his bed
His horse, his one faithful friend an
companion. could be heard near by
evidently waiting for his coming.
All day long the animal remaine'
within hearing distance, and durin
the long, tedious hours OF the secon,
night could BIZ heard moving abou
with re:tless tread, rs though cor
scious That some misfortune had be
| CO 1o,> + ,,>ootan